Acetylene-gas generator.



No. 665,0l9. Patented Ian. I, l90l.

T. H. J. LECKBAND.

A-[IE'I'YLENE- GAS GENERATOR.

(Application filed-Juno 6, 1898. Bonawed Nov. 28, 1900.) (No ludal.) 2Sheets-Sheet I.

Patanted lam l, mu.

No. 665,0I9.

T. n. J. EcKBAun, AGETYLENE fiAS GENERATOR. (Application filed June 6,18. Runeied Nov. 98, 1900.)

2 Sheets-Shoot 2,

(No Model.)

THE uonms Perms cu. wow-urns" WASNINOTON. n c.

UNITE STATES 'ATENT Fries.

THEODOR H. J. LECKBAND, OF ADAIR, IOWA, ASSIGNOR TO THE LEOKBANDGENERATOR COMPANY,

OF DES MOINES, IOWA.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 665,019, dated January1, 190i.

Application filed June 6, 1.898- Renewed November 23, 1900. Serial No.87,458. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, THEODOR H. J. LECK- BAND, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Adair, in the county of Adair and State of Iowa,have invented a new and useful Acetylone-Gas Generator, of which thefollowing is a specification.

My object is to provide a simple, strong, durable, and efficientapparatus for generro ating acetylene gas in which the following novelfeatures are greatly advantageous: first, improved means forwater-sealing in a retort a plurality of pans adapted to contain calciumcarbid in such a manner that water :5 will be admitted to flow from onepan to the adjacent pan as required to exhaust the charge of the carbidin the pans successively and to facilitate cleansing and refilling thepans with carbid; second, pivotally and de- .20 tachably connecting theretort with a Watertank and also pivotally and detachably connecting theretort with water-pipes and gasconveying tubes fixed to the Watertank;third, providing a water-tank with a conical 2 5 bottom to strengthenit,and to provide a chamber under the tank and a water-trap in thechamber for catching drip-water, and watersealing gas-tubes andwater-pipes connected with the retort, the water-tank, and thegasholder; fourth, providing an open basin on I the outside of thewater-tank and connecting it with the retort in such a manner that waterin the basin will coact with gas in the gasholder in regulating the flowof water to the carbid in the retort, and, fifth, providing improvedmeans for arresting the flow of water to the retort while gas continuesto flow to burners and as required to open the retort to refill the panswith carbid.

My invention consists in the construction, arrangement, and combinationof elements, as hereinafter set forth, pointed out in my claims, andillustrated in the accompanying drawings, in whi'ch Figure 1 is a sideview of the complete portable generator adapted to be connected withgas-distributing tubes and burners in a buildingas required forpractical use. Fig. 2 is a vertical central sectional view of thewatertank, water-basin, Water-trap, and the gastubes and water-pipesconnected as required to coact with each other and also coact witli theWater-pipes and gas-tubes on the outside of the water-tank. Fig. 3 is anenlarged ver tical central sectional view of the retort, showing themanner of forming and combining a plurality of pans adapted to retaincalcium carbid and Water. Fig. 4 is an enlarged top view of one of thepans removed from the retort. Fig. 5 is an enlarged transverse sectionalview on the line a; a: in Fig. 1, showing the swinging bracket thatsupports and carries the retort and the relative positions of thewater-pipes and gas-tubes connected with the water-trap under theelevated fixed bottom of the tank. Fig. 6 is an enlarged transversesectional view on the line y y in Fig. 1, showing the positions of thewaterpipes and gas-tubes relative to each other and the water-tank andwater-basin.

The letter A designates a water-tank that has an open top and a conicalfixed bottom A and a downward extension A to'produce an enlarged baseand a chamber underthe fixed bottom. p A is an open-topped annular basinfixed around the outside and top portion of the tank A.

B is an open-topped double-walled vessel and portion of the retort.

B is the inner wall fixed to the bottom of the vessel in concentricposition with the outer wall.

B is an open-ended cylinder telescopically and revolubly connected withthe doublewalled vessel and provided with a fixed airtight top B andhandholds B thereon to facilitate handling the cylinder. An open-endedscrew-threaded tube 1-? is fixed in the center of the top B by means ofnuts or screwseats fixed to the top, as shown in Fig. 3, or in anysuitable way so that the cylinder and tube can be jointly rotated asrequired in connecting the retort with a T-pipe coupling B and asrequired to open the generator and to 95 empty dregs from the panstherein and refill them with carbid.

O is a pan that has a larger diameter at its top than at its bottom andis provided with a plurality of vents d near its top circumference toallow water to flow outward in to a pan in a lower plane. 61 representswires fixed in parallel position across the top to support a pan. Aplurality of pans C are thus providedto be placed removably andinterchangeably within the double-walled vessel B, as shown in Fig. 3,to be filled with calcium carbid whenever desired.

C is a water-trap in the chamber under the tank A.

C is an open-bottomed gas-holder telescopically connected with thewater-tank A.

C is an open-bottomed tube fixed to the top and center of the gas-holderC fis a gas-tube telescopically connected with the lower open end of thefixed tube O.

f is a T-coupling connected with the lower end of the tube f and the topof the watertrap (3*.

f is a tube connected with the coupling f and passes outside of thewater-tank to be extended outside of a building to carry ott' anysurplus of gas that may gather in the gasholder to produce unduepressure.

is a T-coupling at the top portion of the tube 0 and f is a safetytubeconnected with said coupling to extend downward into water in the tank Ain such a manner that it will be water-sealed at all times exceptingwhen undue pressure of gas in the gas-holder C lifts said holder andelevates the lower end of said safety-tube above the water-line in thetank A. It is obvious that whenever a surplus quantity is admitted intothe gas holder it will be thus automatically relieved therefrom asrequired to prevent undue pressure and to assure safety in the operationof my invention.

9 is an open-topped water-pipe on the outside of the gas-holder G 'andtelescopically connected with an open-topped water-pipe g, fixed to theoutside of the tank A by means of a sheet-metal cover g, solderedthereto or in any suitable way.

g is a pipe connected with the pipe g and the basin A by means of aflexible tube 9 in such a manner that water can flow from the basin intothe pipe 9 and the gas-holder C allowed to ascend and descend.

g is a pipe connected with the lower end of the pipe g and the T-coupling B in such a manner that water will be conveyed thereby from thepipe g to the retort as required to conduct water from the basin A intothe upper pan 0 whenever the supply of gas in the gas-holder is reducedsufiiciently to allow the pipe 9 to be lowered so as to bring the top ofthe pipe 9 below the level of water in the basin A and to start thegeneration of gas in the retort by wetting the carbid confined therein.The open-topped pipe g will always remain water-sealed at its lower end,and the air that enters its open top will aid in pressing water from thepipe g into the retort.

h is an arched gas-tube connected with the retort by means of the tube13 and the coupling B and extended into the tank A and connected withthe lower end of a tube it, that is fixed to the trap C by means of aT-coupling h". h is a tube fixed to said coupling and extended into thetrap and bent double at its lower end portion to increase in length, soas to retain a sufficient quantity of water to resist gas-pressuredownward in the tube 7:. and to discharge water from the pipe h that maybe conveyed thereby.

h is a screen connected with a tube 1;, that extends downward from thetop of the tube h in such a manner that the screen will be submerged inthe water in the tank and gas filtered therethrough, so as to be cooledin the water before it ascends through the water into the gas-holder (Jand the tube water-sealed at all times when the retort is disconnectedfrom the tube 72, so that no gas whatever can return from the gas-holderinto the tubes "6 and h to escape.

J is a sleeve on the pipe h, and J is a bracket fixed to the lower endof the sleeve to rotate therewith and to support and carry the retortthat is designed to be placed thereon, as shown in Fig. 1.

It is a gas-tube fixed to the bottom A of the tank A and extended upinto the gasholder 0 and downward below said bottom and connected withthe top of the trap O by means of T- coupling 70' is a tube that extendsfrom said coupling through the wall of the chamber and is designed to beconnect-ed with burners in a building.

70" is a tube extended from the coupling 70 into the trap C toWater-seal the tube 76 to receive any water of condensation in the tube00.

m is a prop hinged to the basin A in such a manner that its free end canbe turned downward, as shown in Fig. 1, and also turned upward to engagethe T- coupling on the pipe g as required to retain the pipe 9 elevatedand the How of waterdiscontinued through the tubes g", g, g, and g tothe retort, while the retort is opened by rotating the part B'*, (thebell of the generatolg) so that the parts can be separated as requiredto clean and refill the pans C with carbid.

n is an elbow-shaped tube fixed in the top of the trap C and extendedout through the wall A of the chamber under the tank A to carry off anysurplus of Water that may collect in the trap.

The tubes 7i,f, and 7c are fixed to the bottom A of the tank by means ofnu ts 0' and r, soldered thereto or in any suitable way so as to producewater-tight joints.

3 is a vent in the top portion of the tank A, that will allow surpluswater to flow from the tank into the basin A whenever necessary.

It is obvious that when there is a suflicient quantity of gas stored inthe gas-holder to elevate it and the pipes g and g, carried therewith,above the water in the tank the flow of water from the basin A to theretort will be automatically cut oil and the wetting of carbid andgenerating of gas stopped, and, vice versa, when the gas-supply issufficiently diminished in the gas-holder it'will descend and lower thepipes g and g, so that water will be again automatically turned on toflow from the basin A through the pipes that connect the basin with theretort as required to wet the carbid and start the generation of gasagain. By the alternate pressure of water and gas the flow of Water andgeneration of gas are automatically regulated. It is also obvious thatwhen enough waterhas been admitted into the upper pan 0 to exhaust allof the carbid therein and the flow of water through the pipes g, g,g,g,and g"" continued from the basin A to the retort the water admitted intothe upper pan will then overflow therefrom through the vents 01 into thepan next below it and that thus all the pans will be successively andgradually supplied with water to wet the carbid therein as required toexhaust all the carbid in the retort and to generate gas therefromcontinuously for any given time it may be desired to operate thegenerator.

To clean and refill the pans, revolve the openbottomed cylinder B asrequired to lowerit in the open-topped and double-Walled vessel B todisconnect the screw B from the T-coupling 13. Then swing the bracket Jto carry the vessel B and its contents from under the coupling 13 sothat the cylinder B can he lifted out of the vessel to gain access tothe pans O, and when the pans are cleaned and refilled with carbid thecylinder can be replaced and the vessel carried back to its place underthe coupling, by means of the swinging bracket, and the cylinder B thenlifted and rotated as required to connect the fixed tube in its top withthe coupling B From the foregoing description of the construction andfunction of each element and subcombination of my invention itsoperation, utility, and advantages will be obvious to persons familiarwith the-art to which it pertains.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent therefor, is

l. A retort for making gas comprising a double-walled open-toppedvesse1,0ne or more receptacles for calcium carbid placed in the vessel,an open-bottomed revoluble cylinder having a fixed open-ended tube inits top, a fixed pipe for conveying water into said tube and retort andconveying gas from the retort, andascrew-coupling for connecting saidtube and pipe arranged and combined to operate in the manner set forth.

2. In a gas-generator, a water-tank having a basin fixed around theoutside of its top and provided with a vent to discharge water into saidbasin, a gas-holder telescopically connected with the tank, telescopictubes connected with the bottom of the tank and the top of thegas-holder, a tube connected with the lower end of said telescopic tubeand also connected with a retort, a telescopic pipe connected with theoutside of the tank and extended up on the outside of the gas-holder, aflexible tube connected with the said waterbasin on the outside of thetank and also connected with said telescopic water-pipe, all arrangedand combined to operate in the manner set forth for the purposes stated.

3. In a gas-generator, a water-tank having a basin fixed around theoutside of its top and provided with a vent to discharge water into saidbasin, a gas-holder telescopically connected with the tank, telescopictubes connected with the bottom of the tank and the top of thegas-holder, a tube connected with the lower end of said telescopic tubeand ex-' tended to the outside of the tank, a telescopic pipe connectedwith the outside of the tank and extended up on the outside of thegasholder, a flexible tube connected with the said water-basin on theoutside of the tank and also connected with said telescopic Water-pipe,and a retort connected with the telescopic water-pipe, all arranged andcombined to operate in the manner set forth for the purposes stated.

4. In a gas-generator, a water-tank having a basin fixed around theoutside of its top and provided with a vent to discharge water into saidbasin, a gas holder telescopically connected with the tank, telescopictubes connected with the bottom of the tank and the top of thegas-holder, a tube connected with the lower end of said telescopic tubeand extended to the outside of the tank, a telescopic pipe connectedwith the outside of the tank and extended up on the outside of thegasholder, a flexible'tube connected with the said Water-basin on theoutside of the tank and also connected with said telescopic water pipe,and a retort connected with the said telescopic water-pipe and meansconnected with said telescopic water-pipe to support the gas-holder inan elevated position, all arranged and combined to operate 'in themanner set forth for the purposes stated.

5. In a gas-generator, a water-tank having a'basin fixed around theoutside of its top and provided with a vent to discharge water into saidbasin, a gas-holder telescopically connected with the tank, telescopictubes connected with the bottom of the tank and the top of thegas-holder, a tube connected with the lower end of said telescopic tubeand extended outside of the tank, a telescopic pipe connected with theoutside of the tank and 6. In a gas-generator, a Water-tank having abasin fixed around the outside of its top and provided with a vent todischarge water into said basin, a gas-holder telescopically connectedwith the tank, telescopic tubes connected with the bottom of the tankand the top of the gas-holder, a tube connected with the lower end ofsaid telescopic tube and extended outside of the tank, a telescopic pipeconnected with the outside of the tank and extended up on the outside ofthe gas-holder, a flexible tube connected with the said Waterbasin onthe outside of the tank and also connected with said telescopicWater-pipe, and a retort connected with the lower end of said telescopicwaterpipe and means connected with said telescopic water-pipe to supportthe gas-holder in an elevated position, and a tube connected with theretortto convey gas from the retort into the gas-holder, all arrangedand combined to operate in. the manner set forth for the purposesstated.

'7. The double-walled vessel B, the cylinder B having a fixed top, fixedhandholds B and a fixed tube B in combination with the co upling B", thepipe g' and the tube h, and the swinging bracket d pivotally connectedWith a Water-tank, as and for the purposes stated.

8. An acetylene-gas generator comprising a Water-tank having a chamberunder its bottom, a Water-trap in said chamber, and a Water-basin at itstop and outside and a vent communicating with said basin, a gas-holdertelescopically connected with the tank, a telescopic water-pipe fixed tothe tank and extended up outside of the gas-holder, a flexible tubeconnected with said Water-basin and said telescopic pipe, a retortconnected with said telescopic pipe, a telescopic gas-tube fixed to thebottom of the tank and to the top of the gas-holder and connected withthe said trap and provided with a tube extending downward from its topportion and a tube extending outward from its lower end, a tube fixed tothe bottom of the tank and connected With said trap and said retort toconvey gas into the gas-holder, a tube fixed to the bottom of the tankand connected With said trap and extended outside of the tank to conveygas to burners, a bracket pivotally connected with the telescopicWater-pipe fixed to the outside of the tank and the gas-holder forsupporting and carrying the retort and means for detachably connectingthe retort With the pipe that conveys water from the Water-basin to theretort and gas from the retort to the gasholder, all arranged andcombined to operate in the manner set forth for the purposes stated.

THEODOR H. J. LECKBAND.

Witnesses:

JAS. BARELS, THOMAS G. ORWIG.

